William H. Gates of West Chester

What kind of man buys a Thanksgiving turkey so big he has to cut the legs off so that it can fit in the oven? Who has three kids, waits until the youngest turns nine, and then thinks it makes sense to have three more? Who hits his midsixties and starts celebrating his birthdays by swimming one lap for every year? What 79-year-old breaks his back body surfing in hurricane-induced waves and recovers? Who has 21.5 grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great grandchildren who live coast to coast? Who refuses to say “goodbye” without tacking on a “fer now”?

William H. Gates.

Bill died on Thursday, November 2nd at the age of 89 in West Chester surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born on August 20, 1928 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania - the third of Ada and Stanley Gates’ three children. Bill took great pride in paying his way through the engineering school at Drexel University where he met Judie Meyer. Bill and Judie were married in 1952 and had six children together. She was the love of his life for 32 years when Judie died from leukemia in 1984. Several years later, Bill married Frieda Reynolds. They were married for 16 happy years before Frieda also passed away to leukemia in 2002. Frauke Vogel has been his dedicated and caring “gal pal” for the last 14 years.

He lived through the Great Depres- sion; World War II; Physical Chemistry classes at Drexel; service in the Korean War; moon landings; Watergate; a long successful career in manufacturing management; the deaths of two wives, two sons, and a stepgrandson; and the first 10 months of the Trump presidency. Bill enjoyed competitive bridge and travel, making his way to all 50 states and every continent. He established his LinkedIn profile in 2015. Most importantly, Bill loved his family. And his family loved him - he was the most optimistic, patient, fair, caring, reasonable and punctual man to ever live. He’ll be sorely missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Sunday, November 5, 2017 from 11am – 12 Noon at The Della Vecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc., 410 North Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380, followed by his Funeral Service at 12 Noon.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, hug your children, have a good conversation with your elders – and in this man’s honor - be a decent person for a bit. If unable to do that, donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Eastern PA Chapter 100 N. 20th Street Suite 405 Philadelphia, PA 19103.